It was late on a Saturday afternoon, the sun was out, and it was warm! What a concept. B had just woken up from a lazy nap. After a lot of wet kisses and hugs, a diaper change, and a bottle I took him outside to stroll around and check on what his big brother was up to. His chubby ham hock sized legs were kicking in excitement just like they do anytime we step outdoors.
After a quick scan of the neighboring yards with kids I didn’t see (or hear) L. Hmmm…where was he off to? Oh that’s right – he decided to join the lovely empty nester couple next door on their patio while they enjoyed a cocktail. He tends to make himself at home pretty easily.
I watched from afar with B making sure L was not too intrusive. There was playing around with rocks, sticks, an ipad, and chatting away with ‘the man’ as he has nicknamed him since we moved in (when he was 2). After a little while, I strolled in to say hello.
After B made sure he got as many smiles and compliments as can be the conversation shifted a bit and ‘the man’s’ wife asked if I was staying home with the boys now. As I’ve been trying to be better about doing, I mentioned that aside from the stay at home mom gig I also write a food blog. Her reaction was incredible – she also writes her own food blog!
There wasn’t a moment of silence from that point on. What? When? Why? How? I needed to know the name, the style, is she on social media, how long…etc. Too fun! Who would have thought that I was living next door to a food blogger and a good one at that. In my world, this is better than finding out you live next door to some really cool celebrity like Jennifer Garner, who I would obviously be BFF’s with.
Anyway, her blog is shredded sprout and it is beautiful. Her strength aside from being an amazing cook is food styling and photography which I feel to be my biggest weakness. I am so excited to be able to watch her work and to hopefully learn a thing or two.
Wasting no time, knowing I had a beautiful platter to prepare for company, I asked if she wanted to come by Sunday to style it and snap a photograph or two.
The answer? Well…I mean, look:
How amazing is setting that out in front of your guests? Too fun. I have to say, there are some things I would have styled the same and some things that I definitely learned from. Thank you, Tina, so much!
Now…that recipe, right? This is such a fun spread to put together and aside from the salmon there isn’t really a recipe. So, I will leave you with the salmon and champagne vinaigrette instructions and what I added to the plater. Your creativity can take it from there!
- Salmon, as much as you'd like to serve
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup dijon and/or grainy mustard
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- salt & pepper
- 1/4 cup champagne vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Preheat your oven to 500 degrees and set the salmon on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour over the salmon. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so. Roast for 12-15 minutes. When cool break into large pieces for your platter.
- Whisk the above together and pour over your platter!
We served the salmon with sliced tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, sliced radishes, freshly blanched green beans, baby arugula, yukon gold potatoes, and roasted garlic stuffed olives. Oh and ribeye steaks ‘on the side’, for the men.
Eat up!
C
If you liked this post, check these out!
Courtney
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Found your blog thru DALS, yummy looking food! Can’t wait to read more!
Thank you so much for visiting!
Your writing cracks me up Courtney, I just love it! I make this salad all of the time and love it! Went to the Kildeer Whole Foods last time I was home and thought of you:) And Caputo’s, which I miss terribly! XOXO
Isn’t it a small world?! I was following a blog a few years ago, only to find out that the sister of a co-worker of mine worked with this woman, worked in Crystal Lake and lives in Hoffman Estates! We’ve met several times for dinner. I’ll have to check out that blog – you can never have too many food blogs! 😀
Courtney, love your writing style! Small world and looking forward to having some neighborly fun with food!!!!